Richard godfrey
Board Chair
Richard has served on the board since 2021 and has spent his entire career seeking to build vibrant communities with safe, affordable homes for everyone. From 1993 to 2015, Richard was Executive Director of RIHousing. Richard has also worked in housing and community development in New Jersey and New York in roles in government, private law practice, consulting, and financial advisory services. Over the years, Richard has served in leadership positions on dozens of diverse organizations including the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Princeton (NJ) Regional Schools, the National Council of State Housing Finance Agencies, the Providence Foundation, and Meeting Street.
Veronicka Vega
Secretary
Veronicka joined the board in 2025. She currently lives in Woonsocket with her partner and rescue Husky. She attended the Woonsocket Area Career and Technical Center where her focus was graphic design and printing. She currently works for Rhode Island’s only homegrown community development financial institution the Providence Revolving Fund, where she disperses grant funds to low-income homeowners and tenants for health and safety home repairs. Before transitioning into the non-profit sector, she worked in local government for three years in the Planning Department within the Housing and Community Development and Code Enforcement Divisions.
She graduated from Johnson & Wales University with her B.S. in Public Health in 2024 and completed the College Leadership Program from Leadership Rhode Island and the Rhode Island League of Cities and Town’s Municipal Leadership Academy. In May 2025, she will complete the Women’s Policy Institute Fellowship. Since 2024, Veronicka has been a member of the Governor’s Young Leaders Advisory Group and recently been appointed to the executive board. In her free time she enjoys reading her kindle, crafting, and walking her dog.
GINA PELLICANO
TREASURER
Gina Pellicano is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Rhode Island. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Rhode Island, where she majored in Accounting and minored in Justice, Law, and Society. Gina is the Senior Manager of Internal Audit at Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island. Previously, Gina was an Audit Director at Citrin Cooperman, where she provided financial statement audits and other accounting services to a diverse range of clients including not-for-profit organizations, skilled nursing facilities, and employee benefit plans. Gina is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Rhode Island Society of Certified Public Accountants (RISCPA), and a member of RISCPA’s Not-For-Profit Committee and Women’s Council.
JOANNE CHANG
Joanne Chang is an angel investor, adviser, and consultant for startups (technology, retail, real estate, and hospitality), with a focus on female and BIPOC founders. She is also a commercial real estate investor, broker, and developer. She is a proud member of the Board of Directors at Sojourner House and is a Trustee of Lincoln School.
stephanie clemente
Stephanie Clemente resides in Cumberland, RI and is a Senior Assistant Vice President at Amica Mutual Insurance Company. An alumna of Syracuse University, Stephanie holds degrees in Mathematics as well as Women and Gender Studies. Stephanie is a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), a prestigious designation in the insurance industry that underscores her expertise in that field. Stephanie enjoys a fulfilling family life with her husband Mike and their two wonderful children, Forest and Isla.
EDWARD D’AREZZO
Edward has served on the board since 2017 and lives in Cranston. He is retired from the RI Department of Health after 36 years and serving as the Associate Director of Health. He was also an Adjunct Professor in Economics, Marketing, Finance, and Human Resources at Bryant University, Providence College, University of Rhode Island, Johnson and Wales university, and Roger Williams University. He is a Leadership Rhode Island 2008 alumnus and also serves on the RI Pace Board and Nursing Assistant Professional Board. He earned his B.A. in Economics from Providence College and and M.A. in Economics from Tufts University
Ernestine jennings
Ernestine is a clinical psychologist who provides mental health services to the community in the area of Behavioral Health. She is a Senior Research Scientist in the Center for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine at The Miriam Hospital and Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Alpert Medical School where she conducts research in the area of smoking cessation, physical activity and community engagement.
Carolyn Mark
Carolyn Mark is a professional mediator and experienced facilitator with a commitment to empowering individuals and groups to meaningfully participate in decision-making on matters that impact them. Carolyn sees power in perspective-taking, and believes that the best decisions are made when those most impacted have a meaningful role in determining the outcome.
Carolyn has 30+ years experience working in the non-profit sector. She has been a labor organizer and educator, a program and executive director of several economic development nonprofits, and is a past president of the Rhode Island Chapter of the National Organization for Women – an organization committed to ensuring access to comprehensive reproductive health care, ending violence against women, advancing economic equity, supporting LGBTQ+ rights, and ending racism. She received a 2011 YWCA RI Woman of Achievement Award for her work to advance the status of women and girls in Rhode Island, as well as the 2023 Sojourner House Community Champion Award.
Carolyn currently serves on the board of the Rhode Island Humanities Council. She has previously served on the board of the Center for Mediation and Collaboration RI, and is a former chair of the board of the Economic Progress Institute which advances policies to improve the economic well-being of Rhode Islanders. In addition to her non-profit work, Carolyn served for eight years as an elected member of the East Greenwich School Committee. As chair for six years, she led strategic planning, labor negotiations, mental health and wellness initiatives, and the annual budget process.
Carolyn received a Bachelor of Arts in Labor Studies and Industrial Relations from the Pennsylvania State University, and a Master of City Planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a focus on community economic development. Carolyn lives in Providence with her husband Bill Stone, and is the proud parent of two adult children. She enjoys skiing, hiking, reading, baking, and weight-lifting.
NeAl McNamara, ESQ.
Neal has been on the Board since 2022. He is Senior Counsel with Nixon Peabody, specializing in employment law, after having served as a Partner for many years. He has worked extensively in the past with the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and has served on a number of non-profit boards. He has degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, Columbia University and New York University. He lives in East Greenwich with his wife, Elizabeth, and son, James.
CaRRIE MCPHERSON
CRPS®, CDFA®, ChSNC®
Carrie has been a member of the Finance Committee for Sojourner House since 2020, has been supporting the Capital Campaign since it’s launch in 2023 and joined the board in 2024. She lives in Foster, RI with her husband and two sons and is a devout dog and beach lover.
Professionally she is a Financial Advisor | Associate Vice President with Park Row Wealth Advisors in Providence, RI, helping individuals and business owners with strategic wealth planning, a field filling her cup since 2008. She has a deep need to serve her community and the mission of Sojourner House is a personal one for her. She earned her B.A. in History and Political Science from the University of Rhode Island.
lamel moore
Lamel joined the board in 2022. He currently serves as the Community Connections & partnership Liaison for the Pawtucket School Department. Previously lamel has served as the Executive Director/CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Webster – Dudley and as Executive Director of the Greater Providence YMCA Providence Branch. Outside of work, Lamel serves as a board member for Aids Care Ocean State (ACOS) and is a regional volunteer in Sigma Pi Fraternity, Intl. He also enjoys competing in Crossfit competitions, spending time with his wife of twelve years and daughter, and competing in local homebrew competitions. Lamel is also a recent graduate of the Leadership Rhode Island (Rho II) Class.
XENIA MURPHY
Xenia joined the board in 2021 and has served on the Fund Development Committee since 2018. Xenia lives in East Greenwich. She is a Director of Performance Management at Midland Credit Management / Encore Capital Group. Prior to joining MCM, Xenia worked for Capital One Financial Corporation. Xenia earned her B.A. from James Madison University.
prutha patel
Prutha has served on the board since 2017 and lives in Providence. She is Vice President and Controller at Patel Investments. Previously she was Vice President of Orange Leaf Yogurt RI and Greater MA territory. She earned her B.A. from Boston University, is Founder of The Lupus Support Group of Rhode Island, and serves on the Miriam Hospital Board of Governors.
Cristen raucci
Cristen joined Sojourner House’s Board of Directors in 2024. Cristen received her BA from Fairfield University and her juris doctor from Roger Williams University School of Law, and is currently Corporate Counsel for a Rhode Island-based general merchandise retailer. She resides in Providence with her husband, Tripp, and their daughter.
David salvatore
A former Providence City Council President, David has been a strong supporter of Sojourner House since 2011 and joined the board in 2023. David earned a B.S. in Business Administration and Management from Rhode Island College and an M.P.A from the Roger Williams University School of Justice Studies. A lifelong Providence resident, David is passionate about community issues, including housing, education, and youth wellness. He is currently the Vice President for Public Affairs at the Rhode Island Association of REALTORS®.
Judy SHAW
Judy joined the board in 2026. She is a pediatrician who recently retired after 40 years in private practice serving children of RI and nearby Massachusetts. She was a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at Brown University, teaching medical students in her office and supervising pediatric residents in the Hasbro Children’s Hospital primary care clinic. She received her MD from Brown University and completed her residency at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. She has served on the boards of Coastal Medical, Northfield Mt Hermon School and Families First: Moms helping Moms. She looks forward to continuing to support RI’s families by serving on the board of Sojourner House.
DR. M. GABRIELA TORRES
Dr. M. Gabriela Torres is currently Vice Provost at Rhode Island College working to innovate higher education by fostering a more diverse and socially just academy. She is a latina cultural anthropologist who specializes in the study of gender–based violence and works regularly as an expert witness. Gabriela is an experienced and trained conflict management professional and was the inaugural Ombudsperson for sexual harassment and assault for the American Anthropological Association. She regularly publishes on anti-racist teaching and learning, BIPOC mentoring in higher education, and on equity policies. Gabriela has a PhD in Social Anthropology from York University, and MA in Economic Anthropology from the Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences (Flacso-Sede Ecuador), and a BA in International Relations from the University of British Columbia.
Stephanie clemente
Stephanie Clemente resides in Cumberland, RI and is a Senior Assistant Vice President at Amica Mutual Insurance Company. An alumna of Syracuse University, Stephanie holds degrees in Mathematics as well as Women and Gender Studies. Stephanie is a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), a prestigious designation in the insurance industry that underscores her expertise in that field. Stephanie enjoys a fulfilling family life with her husband Mike and their two wonderful children, Forest and Isla.
david salvatore
A former Providence City Council President, David has been a strong supporter of Sojourner House since 2011 and joined the board in 2023. David earned a B.S. in Business Administration and Management from Rhode Island College and an M.P.A from the Roger Williams University School of Justice Studies. A lifelong Providence resident, David is passionate about community issues, including housing, education, and youth wellness. He is currently the Vice President for Public Affairs at the Rhode Island Association of REALTORS®.
Tara MCCLARY
Tara was born and raised in South Jamaica (Queens), NY with her parents and one slightly older sister. As a kid, she loved reading and going to school. After high school, she went on to Vassar College where she earned her B.A. in Economics (2003). Tara began her insurance career with Amica Mutual Insurance Company over 20 years ago as an Associate Claims Adjuster in Lincoln, RI. She moved her way up through the claims ranks in several positions including supervisor, examiner, manager and executive roles in several states such as Rhode Island, Texas, Michigan and Maryland. She earned her Strategic Management Certificate (2019) and Master of Liberal Arts, Management degree from Harvard University Extension School (2020). She has earned several industry designations including CPCU, AIC, AINS, API, AIM, AIAF, and CSRP. Tara is currently a Managing Vice President at Amica overseeing countrywide auto subrogation, countrywide first party medical claims and the enterprise’s SIU. She is a member of Amica’s Ethics Committee, a formal and informal mentor, and also serves of the board of Sojourner House in Providence, RI and the National Association of Subrogation Professionals in Pittsburgh, PA. This former city girl now calls rural Sutton, MA home where she lives with her husband, Gil McClary. When not working, she enjoys cooking, eating, reading/listening to books, watching Frasier, and relaxing.
Neal J. McNamara
Neal has been on the Board since 2022. He is Senior Counsel with Nixon Peabody, specializing in employment law, after having served as a Partner for many years. He has worked extensively in the past with the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and has served on a number of non-profit boards. He has degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, Columbia University and New York University. He lives in East Greenwich with his wife, Elizabeth, and son, James.
Lamel Moore
Lamell joined the board in 2022. He currently serves as the Community Connections & partnership Liaison for the Pawtucket School Department. Previously lamel has served as the Executive Director/CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Webster – Dudley and as Executive Director of the Greater Providence YMCA Providence Branch. Outside of work, Lamel serves as a board member for Aids Care Ocean State (ACOS) and is a regional volunteer in Sigma Pi Fraternity, Intl. He also enjoys competing in Crossfit competitions, spending time with his wife of twelve years and daughter, and competing in local homebrew competitions. Lamel is also a recent graduate of the Leadership Rhode Island (Rho II) Class.
XENIA MURPHY
Xenia joined the board in 2021 and has served on the Fund Development Committee since 2018. Xenia lives in East Greenwich. She is a Director of Performance Management at Midland Credit Management / Encore Capital Group. Prior to joining MCM, Xenia worked for Capital One Financial Corporation. Xenia earned her B.A. from James Madison University.
VERONICKA VEGA
Veronicka joined the board in 2025. She currently lives in Woonsocket with her partner and rescue Husky. She attended the Woonsocket Area Career and Technical Center where her focus was graphic design and printing. She currently works for Rhode Island’s only homegrown community development financial institution the Providence Revolving Fund, where she disperses grant funds to low-income homeowners and tenants for health and safety home repairs. Before transitioning into the non-profit sector, she worked in local government for three years in the Planning Department within the Housing and Community Development and Code Enforcement Divisions.
She graduated from Johnson & Wales University with her B.S. in Public Health in 2024 and completed the College Leadership Program from Leadership Rhode Island and the Rhode Island League of Cities and Town’s Municipal Leadership Academy. In May 2025, she will complete the Women’s Policy Institute Fellowship. Since 2024, Veronicka has been a member of the Governor’s Young Leaders Advisory Group and recently been appointed to the executive board. In her free time she enjoys reading her kindle, crafting, and walking her dog.
Neal J. McNamara
Neal has been on the Board since 2022. He is Senior Counsel with Nixon Peabody, specializing in employment law, after having served as a Partner for many years. He has worked extensively in the past with the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and has served on a number of non-profit boards. He has degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, Columbia University and New York University. He lives in East Greenwich with his wife, Elizabeth, and son, James.
Lamel Moore
Lamell joined the board in 2022. He currently serves as the Community Connections & partnership Liaison for the Pawtucket School Department. Previously lamel has served as the Executive Director/CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Webster – Dudley and as Executive Director of the Greater Providence YMCA Providence Branch. Outside of work, Lamel serves as a board member for Aids Care Ocean State (ACOS) and is a regional volunteer in Sigma Pi Fraternity, Intl. He also enjoys competing in Crossfit competitions, spending time with his wife of twelve years and daughter, and competing in local homebrew competitions. Lamel is also a recent graduate of the Leadership Rhode Island (Rho II) Class.
XENIA MURPHY
Xenia joined the board in 2021 and has served on the Fund Development Committee since 2018. Xenia lives in East Greenwich. She is a Director of Performance Management at Midland Credit Management / Encore Capital Group. Prior to joining MCM, Xenia worked for Capital One Financial Corporation. Xenia earned her B.A. from James Madison University.